Coyotes set two school records at Mike Fanelli Classic, battle elements at Chico State
The LTCC men’s and women’s track & field teams put together an action-packed stretch of competition over the last two weeks heading to the GVC Championships.
The Lake Tahoe Community College men's and women's track & field teams put together an action-packed stretch of competition over the last two weeks, highlighting their schedule with a historic, record-setting trip to the Mike Fanelli Track Classic before battling severe weather conditions at the Wildcat Invitational.
During the Mike Fanelli Track Classic hosted by San Francisco State on April 3-4, the Coyotes delivered a flawless meet, with every LTCC athlete leaving the track with a personal record.
Sophomore Joel Nord led the charge, establishing a new school record in the 3000m steeplechase. He crossed the finish line in 9:55.04, adding a PR to his historic run. Nord also competed in the 800m, posting a strong time of 1:59.51, while teammate David Khoury captured a heat win in the same event with a PR of 2:05.37.
The distance crew kept the momentum rolling in the 5000m, where Elijah Gilleland and Kyle Oltmanns raced side-by-side to personal bests. Gilleland finished in 15:39.67, with Oltmanns right on his heels at 15:40.98.
To cap off the weekend in San Francisco, the men's Distance Medley Relay team etched their names in the program history books. The quartet of Gilleland, Khoury, Nord, and Oltmanns combined to run a 10:58.23, setting the second school record of the meet for Lake Tahoe.
The following weekend at the Wildcat Invitational (April 10-11), Chico State presented a much different challenge. Warm-ups and meet preparations were repeatedly halted and restarted due to a steady stream of lightning delays. Once the races finally got underway, the athletes were met with difficult wind and rain.
Despite the harsh conditions, the Coyotes showcased tremendous resilience. Every LTCC competitor pushed through the elements to finish within two seconds of their personal bests.
Nord secured a heat win in the 800m with a time of 2:00.15. In the 1500m, Gilleland cut through the weather to capture a heat win and establish a new PR of 4:18.50, while Oltmanns turned in a solid 4:14.17.
On the women's side, Shanaya Tolby continued to be consistent in the 1500m, navigating the rain and wind to cross the finish line in 5:47.61.
LTCC Results: Mike Fanelli Track Classic (Apr. 3-4)
Men
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800m: Joel Nord (1:59.51), David Khoury (2:05.37 PR, Heat Win)
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3000m Steeplechase: Joel Nord (9:55.04 PR, School Record)
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5000m: Elijah Gilleland (15:39.67 PR), Kyle Oltmanns (15:40.98 PR)
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Distance Medley Relay: Elijah Gilleland, David Khoury, Joel Nord, Kyle Oltmanns (10:58.23 School Record)
LTCC Results: Wildcat Invitational (Apr. 10-11)
Men
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800m: Joel Nord (2:00.15, Heat Win)
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1500m: Kyle Oltmanns (4:14.17), Elijah Gilleland (4:18.50 PR, Heat Win)
Women
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1500m: Shanaya Tolby (5:47.61)
